Link your iOS device to the outside world

The beauty of the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad is that, with the right music making apps installed, they become totally self-contained and portable music making platforms. However, a growing number of companies are now producing hardware add-ons that, should you decide you need it, give you a little extra functionality.

Specifically, there are now interfaces that enable you to get audio and MIDI in and out of your Apple handset; mics that facilitate higher quality recording; and even a keyboard on which you can play your music making apps ‘for real’.

We’re rounded-up the most notable iOS music making hardware add-ons here - if you think we’ve missed something important, let us know.

Our one word of warning is that, before you buy one of these products, you should check its compatibility list carefully, as it may not work with the device you own. Also bear in mind that it may not be future proof, so if you upgrade your iPhone (for example), you might be left with a redundant peripheral.